Jackson MS vs Rapid City SD — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Jackson, MS
Mississippi · Population: 149,827
- Median HH Income$43,238
- Median Home Price$88,100
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Rapid City, SD
South Dakota · Population: 76,836
- Median HH Income$65,712
- Median Home Price$363,258
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Rapid City
2.3%
Rapid City +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Rapid City
1.3%
Rapid City +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Rapid City
5.6%
Rapid City +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 76,836 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 39.0 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 2.3% | Rapid City + |
| White | 14.5% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 81.8% | 1.6% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 1.3% | Rapid City + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 5.6% | Rapid City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Rapid City
$65,712
Rapid City +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $65,712 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $40,447 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 13.3% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 36.4% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Rapid City
$363,258
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $363,258 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Rapid City
405
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
Rapid City
1873
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 405 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 1873 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Rapid City
11.8%
Rapid City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Rapid City
15.9%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 34.0% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 11.8% | Rapid City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 20.5% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.9% | Rapid City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 18.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rapid City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rapid City leads in median household income at $65,712, while jackson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $88,100. On public safety, Jackson is safer with a violent crime rate of 247 per 100,000 residents, compared to 405 in Rapid City. Rapid City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Rapid City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rapid City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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